February 15, 2026

Hello Members and Friends,

Happy belated Valentine’s wishes to all of you, and I hope you are all enjoying some Family Day weekend activities. We are just more than halfway through February 2026 and whether the groundhog saw his shadow or not, Spring is on its way. The mountains just east of Grand Forks are greening and buttercups are showing up on the Gilpin’s grasslands and at Morrissey. I have not checked my favourite spot yet, but I will soon.

The Boundary Woodworkers and the BHS have been in a bit of a turmoil since they received a letter from the RDKB indicating they may have to pay a large rental fee for the use of their building. The Boundary Woodworkers Guild hosted a meeting on Tuesday last week with James Chandler who is taking over as Chief Administrative Officer for the RDKB and Linda Kay Wiess our RDKB Director for Area D. Members of the Focus on Fibre Association(quilters, weavers, spinners, and knitters) along with the Woodworkers and the BHS attended. We were satisfied that the RDKB does not intend to oust us from our building. Work will begin on drawing up a contract for the three societies. If a minimal payment is required – utilities? – Linda Kay and James assured us there are grants available.

The Woodworkers are going to begin crafting the picket fences we requested. They will be ready for installation in the spring. Jakki Fryer reported at our January meeting that Frank Talarico’s son will cut our headboards for Phoenix – just waiting for the snow to go. Hopefully, Barry and Al at the Artisans Gallery in Greenwood will find time to complete them. We will have a clean up at Phoenix Cemetery – downed branches and pulling out those pesky pine seedlings and I’m hoping for a painting party later on. We still need to work on some repairs to the I.0.0.F. fence. Still no word from Chris Trudeau about Gladys’ estate. It is still held up in the CRA.

We’ve discussed wording for a memorial plaque for Frank Talarico, and I will get that engraved soon. It is a little too early to take the snow barrier off at Gladys’ cabin at Jewel Lake. The memorial bench is stored in the cabin. Member Lane Murray has been kind enough to help us with the BHS website. He’s been able to gain access and is currently mulling over our options. We are very grateful for his knowledge and his help.

We will not be holding an Anniversary Luncheon this year. James Price from the Brown Creek Community Association and the BHS are hoping to plan another get together and potluck in June. I am not sure of any details, but it may be our version of “Antiques Roadshow.” I am fairly sure that all of us have a few treasures that we could display, and we will ask some “experts” to give us their opinion. I have been slow at getting membership renewal notes out but have every intention of getting to that task this weekend.

We want to wish our Past President, Joan Heart, a good recovery. Joan has had a copious amount of health problems this winter. She is currently in Kootenay Boundary Hospital, but we are hoping she will be transferred to Grand Forks soon – it will be good to visit with her. She always asks me to let you know that she is thinking of the historical society and misses us greatly.

In history,

Doreen Sorensen

Secretary